At a certain altitude above the Earth’s surface

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics C: Mechanics · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics

Problem

At a certain altitude above the Earth’s surface, the acceleration due to gravity decreases by exactly

2\%

. Using

R_E = 6.4\times10^6\,\text{m}

, answer the following. (i) Calculate the altitude

h

at which this reduction occurs. (ii) Find the depth

d

below the Earth’s surface at which

g

is also

2\%

less than the surface value. (iii) Show numerically which of the two distances,

h

d

, is larger and state by what factor.